Eat Local (and Become Adventurous)

Eat Local (and Become Adventurous)

As part of our partnership with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, we are pleased to offer guest bloggers from time to time. This week, we have Kerri Lindberg, a Registered Dietician from the Joe R. Utley Heart Resource Center of Spartanburg Regional. You might know Kerri from the amazing grocery store tours she has conducted in the last couple of years around town. She is a huge advocate of farmers markets, and has some great insight to share.

It’s that time of year again! The Hub City Farmers’ Market is back in action and I couldn’t be more excited. Walking around the Saturday market is what I look forward to every week – the friendly chatter, delicious smells and, of course, the free samples.

There’s something truly enjoyable about purchasing food you know was grown right up the street, plus getting to meet the person who grew it face to face.

Chances are there will be some produce you’ve never seen before. Kohlrabi, purple peppers or potatoes, lemon cucumbers – you get the picture. Most of us have this silly fear of trying new foods (myself included!). This fear may not even be based on how the food tastes, but from a lack of knowledge of how to prepare it.

The farmers’ market is the perfect place to buck up and try new things. Farmers are your best resources because they can tell you exactly how to best prepare the food they’ve grown. Most have a few recipes they are happy to share if you ask.

As a dietitian, it’s my job to try new foods and recipes to share with the community. After all, how can I tell someone to eat something if I’ve never tried to cook it myself?

I have a “Rule of 3” – try the fruit or vegetable three times, prepared three different ways. Different cooking methods bring out different flavors.

My personal favorite method is roasting, because it brings out the natural sweetness in any vegetable. For example, I used to hate Brussels sprouts. Roasting turns those stinky steamed sprouts into something crisp and savory, with a hint of sweetness.

I now officially enjoy Brussels sprouts because I found a way to cook them that tastes good to me.

For more help finding healthy, tasty recipes or reasons to buy local, stop by and see me at the Joe R. Utley Heart Resource Center of Spartanburg Regional, or call 560-4472